UPTOWN Magazine

12/02/2025

Ready for a getaway that feels effortless from the moment you book? 🌴⚓️

Cruise lovers, this is your season. Top cruise lines are rolling out incredible savings, upgrades, and perks—whether you’re dreaming of the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, or a once-in-a-lifetime world voyage.

From luxury touches to flexible “freestyle” adventures and family-friendly escapes, there’s something for every type of traveler.

✨ Explore all the standout offers and find the voyage that fits your style.
Read the full breakdown on our site and start planning your next unforgettable escape! 🌊✨

Cruise lovers, rejoice! The holidays bring major deals from Princess, NCL, Celebrity and more. Your dream getaway is just a click away.

12/02/2025

✨ From Dance Moms to Resilient Voice ✨

Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes when fame meets pressure, identity, and strength? This powerful piece on Nia Sioux shows how she reclaimed her story — confronting toxicity, racism, and self-doubt head-on, and turned pain into power. 💪🏾

Her new memoir isn’t just about dance — it’s a testament to resilience, healing, and the courage to stand up and speak out.

Read the full story and get inspired. 👉 From Dance Moms to Resilient Voice: Nia Sioux Reclaims Her Power

In her new memoir, Nia Sioux confronts the toxicity she faced on Dance Moms and rises with grace, strength, and a voice entirely her own.

11/27/2025

🖤 Happy Thanksgiving, Family! 🖤

Today, we pause to give thanks for the blessings of life, love, and community. We celebrate the resilience, strength, and beauty of our culture—passed down from generation to generation. From the laughter around the dinner table to the music, stories, and the delicious dishes that connect us to our roots, there’s so much to be grateful for.

May today be a reminder of all that we’ve overcome and all that we continue to build together. Let’s cherish the moments with our loved ones, honor those who came before us, and create new memories that will last for generations.

In the spirit of gratitude, let’s also share our abundance and spread love beyond our homes. Whether it’s a kind word, a helping hand, or simply being present—let’s keep lifting each other up.

Wishing you all a Thanksgiving filled with joy, peace, and prosperity. ✨

Photo: August de Richelieu

11/24/2025

Today, we honor the life and legacy of the legendary Jimmy Cliff — a global icon whose voice, spirit, and truth helped shape the sound of reggae and carried it to every corner of the world. 🌍✨

From “The Harder They Come” to “Many Rivers to Cross,” his music was more than melody, it was movement, resistance, healing, and joy. Jimmy Cliff gave us anthems that lifted spirits, inspired generations, and reminded us of our shared humanity.

Thank you, Jimmy, for the light you brought, the stories you told, and the timeless vibrations you leave behind. Your music lives on. Your impact lives on. Your soul lives on. 🕊️💛

Rest in power, legend.

11/24/2025

🚢✨ Step aboard the new Disney Destiny — where Black legacy, luxury, and family magic meet at sea.

From the Wakanda-inspired Grand Hall to The Lion King’s Pride Lands dining experience, Disney Destiny celebrates culture, connection and next-level storytelling.

👨🏾‍👦 Perfect for the entire family - especially dads and sons, the ship’s powerful hero moments make this a legacy-building getaway experience!

💎 And for those craving ultra-luxury, the Tower Suite and Hero Suite deliver penthouse-style living with concierge perks that’s blended with impactful design.

🖤 Feeling a little villainous? Don’t miss the ship’s most exclusive secret - Dr. Facilier’s Parlor - a 10-minute, no-cameras-allowed encounter that’s worth lining up early for.

Disney Cruise Line Disney

Disney Destiny delivers experiences that feel purposefully curated to build tradition, reinforce confidence, and ignite imagination.

11/22/2025

Living with CVID (common variable immunodeficiency) means managing more than just health—it’s about caring for your body’s skin too. 💙

In this personal piece, one writer shares how the Dove Targeted Serum Concentrate has become a vital part of her body-care routine, helping her feel whole again.

Read her story & find out how she uses science-backed skincare to reclaim confidence.

👉 Read the full article: This Body Care Serum Helps Me Thrive With CVID

Thriving with CVID goes beyond treatment. Monthly infusions strain my skin, and the Dove Targeted Serum Concentrate has become key to restoring confidence.

11/21/2025

Discover The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, a Disney Vacation Club Resort where rustic charm meets elevated comfort. These new standalone cabins offer privacy, modern interiors, full kitchens, and serene woodland views. It's perfect for bucolic escapes and is minutes from Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World.

Walt Disney World Disney

The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness in Florida blend luxury with nature’s serenity and Disney’s signature magic.

11/20/2025

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is returning to New York City Center this holiday season — and they’re ushering in a powerful new era under Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack. ✨

From December 3 to January 4, experience five weeks of spectacular performances, including world premieres, beloved Ailey Classics, special tributes, and multiple live-music renditions of Revelations.

Opening Night will honor Board Chair Daria L. Wallach and feature star power from and , plus a one-night-only program performed entirely to live music.

Whether you’re an Ailey devotee or discovering the company for the first time, this season promises unforgettable artistry, legacy, and innovation.

Learn more below.

Ailey returns for the holidays with a new era under Alicia Graf Mack, star-powered gala events, world premieres, and the timeless Revelations.

11/11/2025

✨ Last night: Magic meets Marvel, Villains collide with Victory. ✨

UPTOWN’s Jason Gordon witnessed the ultimate debut at the christening of the Disney Destiny in Port Everglades, Florida — a full‐blown spectacle of lights, drones, live band and legendary Disney flair. 🎇 A ship born for Heroes & Villains alike - and the adventure begins now.

From the stunning projections across the hull to the “pop of champagne” moment with godmother Susan Egan, this was more than a ceremony - it was a promise: Your next voyage just became legendary. 🌊👑

11/11/2025

🕊️🇺🇸 Honoring the Legacy of Black-American Veterans 🇺🇸🕊️

Today—and every day—we pay tribute to the brave Black men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. From the Buffalo Soldiers and Tuskegee Airmen to those serving around the world today, their courage, excellence, and resilience have strengthened the very foundation of our nation.

Their service is a testament to honor in the face of adversity, to faith in the promise of freedom, and to the unyielding pursuit of equality and justice.

We salute you.
We remember you.
We thank you.

Photo: Craig Adderley via Pexels

10/31/2025

🔥 The Apollo just made history! Beginning January 2026, The Fire This Time Festival—the Obie Award–winning celebration of Black playwrights—will make its permanent home at The Apollo Stages at The Victoria.

This powerful collaboration continues Harlem’s legacy as a hub for Black creativity, culture, and truth-telling, spotlighting new voices shaping the future of American theater. 🎭✨

Read more below.

Photo: Fernando Gonzalez

The Apollo welcomes The Fire This Time Festival to its new home, amplifying Black playwrights and redefining Harlem’s creative legacy.

10/31/2025

🎃 Stir up some spooky fun this Halloween with Seagram’s Escapes Monster Mash Punch — a wickedly simple cocktail that’s scary good! 👻

Perfect for Halloween parties, trick-or-treat sipping, or chilling with your favorite ghouls, this colorful punch mixes Black Cherry Fizz and Blueberry Acai Lemonade with a splash of lemonade, fresh berries, and orange slices. 🍒🫐🍊

Ready in under 5 minutes, it’s your go-to potion for any last-minute monster mash. 🪄 Add vodka for an extra bite or rim your glasses with black sugar for a hauntingly glam touch.

🕸️ Tag your creepy crew and show us your cauldrons!